Six-spot Burnet Zygaena filipendulae

e6filmuser

I used to see Burnet moths (5-spot?) when my parents took me and my siblings to the Ridgeway. The Ridgeway still follows the same route over the high ground used since prehistoric times by travellers, herdsmen and soldiers. I would see Marble White butterflies, among other species. I also saw lots of this day-flying moth and could find their cocoons on grass stems.

That was over 60 years ago and, although I have seen the Marbled Whites on a few occasions, I have not seen Burnet Moths until a few days ago. I found no cocoons.

The first three images were shot under cloud, the first two being uncropped. The other two were in sunlight.

Notice how the wings sometime shimmer in the light,.

Olympus EM-1, (aperture priority), Olympus 4/3 50mm f2 macro, Olympus 4/3 x2 TC, around 1/100 at f10 or f11 ISO 250, hand-held.

Harold